Recruiting Report: Philip Alston (2019)
In October, 6’6” wing/forward Philip Alston (2019) picked up his first scholarship offer from the Air Force Academy. They’ve been the primary school in contact with Alston, a Westerville North junior with a military background.
“I actually do have two grandfathers who were in the military, one that was in Vietnam,” Alston said.
On Air Force as a whole, Alston said, “I like it a lot.”
They’d been tracking him during the summer with All Ohio Black and even have watched a couple high school games. At the moment, communication with his potential college destination is off-and-on
“I text with coach [Andrew] Moore, the assistant coach, a lot here and there. Not recently, but previously, we’d talk every other day. We still stay in contact though,” Alston said.
He hopes to take his first visit to Air Force this summer. He was also invited to take an unofficial visit to Wright State.
He’ll be playing for Nova Village instead of All Ohio Black during that time, where he’ll be given an opportunity to show his abilities on the perimeter. For the 15-3 Westerville North Warriors, Alston is the tallest player and therefore relied upon to rim protect, finish inside, and rebound.
However, he feels out of position.
“I basically have been playing wing my whole career. I’m mostly the post because I’m tall at North. I think I excel attacking a lot, slashing. Also I can shoot mid-range,” Alston said.
This season, his combination of athleticism and instincts have looked the part around the rim defensively. The bouncy Alston blocks shots and grabs rebounds with almost anyone in Central Ohio. While his upside may be making plays around the arch, his future college coach will be adding a piece who can defend multiple positions well.
“I love playing defense, shot-blocking and stuff … I think [this season] will help me with defending the post but also with my post footwork and post moves. I can add that to my arsenal and be more well-rounded,” Alston said.
Improvement doesn’t stop here for Alston, who has another series of skills and intangibles he’s looking to brush up on in the near future.
“My jump shot, my motor, and conditioning,” Alston said.
He also makes time for his academics.
“With my grades, I’ve been improving a lot. I know these past two years, I’ve had a 3.6 or higher,” Alston said. Accumulatively, he carries a 3.2 and is yet to take the ACT.
Coaches interested in Alston can watch him against two quality opponents at home this week, with Dublin Coffman coming in tonight and Westervile South tomorrow.